Vietnam War

  • Emergence of Vietnam Leaders

    In 1955, Ngo Dinh Diem emerges as the leader of South Vietnam with the support and acknowledgement of the United States. Ho Chi Minh rises as the leader of a communist North Vietnam.
  • First American Deaths

    The first American soldiers to be killed in Vietnam. North Vietnam guerrillas raid their living quarters near Saigon
  • President Kennedy sends troops

    President John F. Kennedy officially sends troops to Vietnam in aid of South Vietnam.
  • Agent Orange

    The deadly chemical, Agent Orange, is first used. Agent Orange was used to kill vegetation that would be used as cover or food for the North Vietnam guerrillas.
  • John F. Kennedy's Assassination

  • New President

    On this date, General Nguen Van Thieu became president of South Vietnam.
  • Increase in Troops

    President Lyndon B. Johnson sends an additional 50,000 troops to Vietnam, increasing the draft the 35,000 a month.
  • Operation Starlite

    In Operation Starlite, an estimated 5,500 US Marines advance against the First Viet Cong Regiment in the first major ground offensive by U.S. forces in Vietnam. Although this attack would affect the Viet Cong, they quickly recovered.
  • American Aircraft Attacks

    American aircrafts hit targets in Hanoi and Haiphong, which were major cities in North Vietnam
  • Vietnam War Protests

    Large scale Vietnam War protests occur in Washington, D.C., New York City and San Francisco.
  • South Vietnam Election

    Nguyen Van Thieu wins the presidential election of South Vietnam under a new government.
  • President Johnson Halts Bombings

    President Lyndon B. Johnson halts bombings in North Vietnam and announces he will not run for president again.
  • Richard M. Nixon Becomes President

    Republican candidate Richard M. Nixon wins the US presidential elections on the promise of ending the draft and restoring peace to the United States.
  • End of the United States' Involvement in the Vietnam War

    Gerald R. Ford becomes president after Nixon retires due to the Watergate Scandal. President Ford rules out any further U.S. military involvement in Vietnam.
  • US Soldier Deaths

    This day was the start of the week where the highest number of US soldier deaths were recorded during the war, with 543 American deaths